Interactive map commemorates May 1945 Prague Uprising

The end of WWII in Europe took place 77 years ago this weekend, and one of the final events of the war was the 1945 Prague Uprising that saw Czech resistance fighters largely liberate the city from Nazi occupiers.

Approximately 3,000 Czechoslovak resistance fighters died during the efforts from May 5-9, 1945. Some Nazi forces continued to fight in Prague after a ceasefire was signed between Czech and German officials on May 8, and the Soviet Red Army entered a mostly-liberated city on May 9.

To commemorate the 1945 Prague Uprising, the City of Prague has released an interactive online map that marks important locations during the liberation of Prague, and honors those who lost their lives during these dates.

The city invites residents to not only visit the locations online, but also in person, and lay a candle at sites to honor those who fought and died to free the city from Nazi rule.

"The Prague Uprising is undoubtedly one of the most important events in the history of our city. I feel great pride in the bravery and cohesion of the people of Prague, who stood up to the Nazis and persevered in their determination until victory," Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib states in a press release.

"Unfortunately, even today, Europe does not live in peace; only a few hundred kilometers from us, Ukraine is currently bravely defending an invasion from the uninvited dictator Putin. It is appropriate to commemorate the heroic deeds of the people of Prague, either by lighting a virtual candle or in person on the streets."

The map of locations where Czechoslovak resistance fighters lost their lives utilizes data from the Central Register of War Graves, a database preserved by the Czech Ministry of Defense. Prague's Institute of Planning and Development plotted the locations across an interactive map.

"Remembering the thousands of Czechoslovaks who laid down their lives during the May Uprising, I also think these days of all those facing the Russian occupiers and their aggression," adds Prague Councilor for Culture Hana Třeštíková.

"It is sad that even after 77 years, people have to fight for the freedom and sovereignty of their own country, which unfortunately is not self-evident."

You can visit the interactive Prague Uprising map through this link.